We went and saw the specialist (an ENT doctor) to look at Elle's ears. The appointment lasted about 10 minutes. He confirmed there was fluid in both of her ears so she will continue to get ear infections. He gave me a few pros and cons of not getting tubes and getting tubes. I cannot beleive the only OPTION to get the fluid OUT is tubes! We are most concerned about how painful they must be for her and the fact that every few weeks, she is on a new antibiotic. She doesn't even need to have an upper respiratory infection first, which is usually what triggers an ear infection. Elle's ear infections simply have not cleared up since Florida. Tubes are not a guarantee but they will get that fluid out of her ears for now at least. BUT, she would have to go "under" if we move forward with the tube surgery. While I understand the risk is small for a baby to undergo this very common, quick procedure...I am freaking out. There's my "what if" going on in my brain. What if the smallest risk happened to her, us, our family....AGAIN. I know the risk is small but I cannot get over the WHAT IF.
But if we don't try the tubes, Elle could have a really terrible Winter with ear infection after ear infection and being on antibiotics each week. Then there's the development part of it. Her ears are plugged thus she is not hearing at 100% right now so there is risk of future development issues and then of course hearing loss which is rare but exists.
If I knew the tubes were 100% going to fix all of this, I could potentially take the small risk and go for it but the ENT said himself that the tubes are just a short term fix and they will probably fall out in 6-12 months but the hope is by then they grow out of it.
If anyone reading knows anything about tubes but more importantly general anaesthesia on a almost 8 month year old, please let me know. I know a friend had already emailed me some advice which I so appreciate. I am most scared about her going under for the actual procedure.
We had an appointment scheduled for this Friday at 7am. No food or drink. Oh that would be terrible for her. I cancelled it. I cannot handle the nightmares and bad thoughts along with thinking of leaving her for 12 days so we have decided to wait on this and think about it for a little longer. I am also going to discuss with my pediatrician again. The ENT was not very helpful, he was like this is what we do-tubes. Yep, there's fluid and if she's had these ear infections since end of June, she's a candidate.
What I don't want is for these ear infections to continue causing her pain, giving her a fever and then to ultimately effect her development. She is so HAPPY and BRIGHT when she's not hurting by those darn ears.
Elle did have a great weekend though. We had our friends over for pizza and wine night on Friday and then Saturday we walked over to a birthday party at this cute house a block down in Hyde Park. We are so lucky to live in the neighborhood that we do which is filled with young professionals, our age and many starting to have children. It's a really great place to live right now.
Today is Grandparents day~established in 1978. I called my Mom's Dad, my Gramps. He was thrilled I remembered. He certainly did not. My other Grampa wouldn't have been able to come to the phone but he was in my thoughts today. I am grateful I have the two of them in my life. I thought of my parents a ton today, thinking of what amazing grandparents they were and how the day they died was spent with their grandson. Mom took him to the park and Dad played catch. I can only imagine what wonderful Grandparents they would have been to Elle. I can only imagine...
And of course we thought of Elle's grandparents, Ted's parents. We are blessed to have them in our life and we so appreciate their current and future involvement with our little princess she is and sure to become.......
Thinking of my Grandparents who are in heaven and here on earth- for giving me unconditional love and a life filled with memories since I entered the world 30 years ago. I wish everyday the same for Elle. I thank my parents for raising me near my Grandparents which gave me such a wonderful foundation to understanding the importance of family. The importance of a Grandparent... in a child's life.
All my love,
Melissa
1 comment:
Melissa,
My kids were also plagued by ear infections. One antibiotic after another. They are now 16 and 18 years old. At 18 mos. My oldest had tubes put in and doctor also recommended taking his adenoids out because all that sinus and ear stuff is connected. We did both and the ear infections stopped. We are glad we did it because being on all those antibiotics isn't good either. Our ear canals are suppose to be at a slight slant for better drainage and some babies, the ones with the worst infections, the canals are straight. You might also try elevating the head of her crib by putting a pillow or something under her mattress. This helped with my second child by them not laying flat. Good luck - the dream lady
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